Compare DIRECTV vs. DISH

Is DIRECTV or DISH better for your home?

While the two satellite services are similar, DIRECTV and DISH differ slightly in price, programming packages and TV technology. Depending on what you’re looking for in a TV service, you may find one provider to have an edge over the other.

• DISH and DIRECTV are available throughout all 50 states.
• DIRECTV offers more TV packages and HD and 4K channels.
• DISH’s Hopper 3 can record up to 16 shows at once; DIRECTV’s Genie can record 5.
• DIRECTV offers NFL SUNDAY TICKET; DISH does not.
• DISH offers a 2-year price guarantee; DIRECTV pricing increases after 1 year.

At Allconnect®, we’ve done the research on DIRECTV and DISH for you, so you can easily compare and choose the best TV provider for your home.

DIRECTV vs. DISH quick comparison

• Available in 50 states
• Plans starting at $35/mo.*
• 155-330+ channels
• HD included
• 4K channels available
• Record up to 5 shows at once
• Store up to 200 hours HD content
• 2-year contract required
• Price increase after 1 year

• Available in 50 states
• Plans starting at $59.99/mo*
• 190-290+ channels
• HD included
• Record up to 16 shows at once
• Store up to 500 hours HD content
• 2-year contract required
• 2-year price guarantee

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 8/2/18.

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DIRECTV vs. DISH pricing

At first glance, DIRECTV appears to have the lower pricing for basic TV packages. However, DIRECTV pricing increases after one year, whereas DISH offers a 2-year price guarantee, balancing out the initial savings you’d get with DIRECTV.

• Lowest package price: starting at $35/mo.*
• Highest package price: starting at $110/mo.*
• Price increase: after 12 mos.
• Installation fee: included in up to 4 rooms
• Local channels fee: $0
• First DVR device: included
• Additional receivers: $7mo. each

• Lowest package price: starting at $59.99/mo.*
• Highest package price: starting at $89.99/mo.*
• Price increase: after 24 mos.
• Installation fee: included in up to 6 rooms
• Local channels fee: $12/mo. (included in package price)
• First DVR device: included
• Additional receivers: $5-10/mo. each

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 8/2/18.

Over the span of two years, average monthly pricing for comparable DIRECTV and DISH packages is about the same. After the two year mark is where you may notice a difference. DISH’s price increases tend to be lower than DIRECTV’s, which could make DISH more cost-effective if you plan on having the service for more than two years. Fees for features such as DVR service, HD programming and standard installation are included with DIRECTV and DISH packages. One fee you’ll get with DISH and not DIRECTV is for local channels. DISH charges a $12/mo. fee, included in the package price, for local channels; DIRECTV includes local channels with all packages with no added fee. Both services charge a regional sports fee which can vary by location. Along with package pricing and fees, TV providers present many things to consider. Here are a few tips for comparing TV plans and offers.

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DIRECTV vs. DISH packages

When it comes to package options, DIRECTV has a slight advantage over DISH. DIRECTV offers 6 unique channel packages to DISH’s 4. Both providers offer add-on packages for premium channels, sports packs and international channels.

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 8/2/18.

Lower-tiered DIRECTV and DISH packages offer similar channel lineups and pricing, but DIRECTV’s top package gives you more than any DISH package. DIRECTV’s PREMIER™ package includes HBO®, Showtime®, Cinemax® and STARZ/STARZ ENCORE networks, plus 70+ regional sports networks. DISH’s largest TV package, America’s Top 250, only includes STARZ ENCORE channels, which is similar to DIRECTV’s ULTIMATE package.

NFL SUNDAY TICKET is another package perk exclusive to DIRECTV. The robust sports package gives subscribers “every live, out-of-market game, every Sunday” and is only available from DIRECTV. New customers who sign up for the CHOICE™ package or above can get a season of NFL SUNDAY TICKET included at no extra cost.

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DIRECTV vs. DISH DVR equipment

This is one category where DISH has a clear advantage. DISH’s Hopper 3 offers more recording capabilities and storage space than DIRECTV’s Genie. Plus, the Hopper 3 features a handy remote finder button and access to apps like Netflix and YouTube from the device.

• Supports HD and 4K resolution
• Records up to 5 shows at once
• 1 TB storage space for up to 200 hours of HD content
• 72-hour rewind, watch select shows up to 72 hours after they aired
• Wireless devices available
• Whole-home DVR available

• Supports HD and 4K resolution
• Records up to 16 shows at once
• 2 TB storage space for up to 500 hours of HD content
• “Find the Remote” button
• AutoHop automatically skips commercials in selected primetime recordings
• Netflix® and other apps built in
• Wireless devices available
• Whole-home DVR available

Both providers include one main DVR device at no extra cost. Additional DIRECTV receivers can cost up to $7 per device, while additional DISH receivers cost $5 to $10 each. Get the DIRECTV Genie or the DISH Hopper 3 with any standard TV package.

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DIRECTV vs. DISH customer satisfaction

According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, DIRECTV and DISH rank relatively high in customer satisfaction compared to other TV service providers, especially cable.

ASCI rating 2017	68/100	67/100
ASCI rating 2018	64/100	67/100

J.D. Power also rates DISH and DIRECTV higher than cable in overall customer satisfaction, with DISH leading in the North/Central and South, and DIRECTV leading in the West in 2017. Both providers ranked high in Cost of Service, Billing and Communication categories across all regions. DIRECTV ranked slightly higher than DISH for Programming, while DISH ranked higher for Customer Service